2 FBI employees killed in Ohio River boat collision

CINCINNATI -- Two off-duty FBI employees were killed in a boat collision on the Ohio River near Cincinnati, the agency said Friday.

Cincinnati District Fire Chief Lou Arnold said the accident happened late Thursday when the men's pleasure boat apparently crossed in front of a 600-foot barge in the river between Cincinnati and Newport, Kentucky. The two were found dead on the boat when fire crews arrived.

"It is with great sadness that we advise that two FBI employees were involved in a tragic accident late last night," the FBI said in a statement Friday.

Coast Guard officials told CBS affiliate WKRC that speed and alcohol are believed to be a factor in the crash.

FBI spokesman Todd Lindgren said they were Cincinnati division employees but not special agents. Their names, ages and other information weren't released immediately pending notification of relatives.

Arnold told The Cincinnati Enquirer that the barge captain was at the wheel and saw the collision.

"He was looking right out the front watching what was going on. It was a big barge," Arnold said. "The (pleasure boat) just crossed right in front of them and slammed into the barge. We can only assume they didn't see it."

WKRC reports that the barge was carrying limestone.

Emergency crews searched the river through the night to make sure there was no one who had been thrown overboard.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is investigating.